Ever heard of a post-workout supplement which utilizes a specific ratio?

Please welcome Optimum Nutrition 2:1:1 Recovery into the fold.

The manufacturer puts a premium on the 2:1:1 ratio for the product’s carbohydrate, protein, and BCAA blends.

Sounds exciting? That’s just the tip of the iceberg, folks.

Another exciting review is in the offing.

About Optimum Nutrition 2:1:1 Recovery

Optimum Nutrition 2:1:1 Recovery “is based on the latest science demonstrating that blending different types of carbs and proteins maximizes absorption and leads to better results than the use of larger amounts of any single type,” per the manufacturer’s official website. Formula notes:

Directions For 2:1:1 Recovery: Add 2 rounded scoops of 2:1:1 Recovery to your shaker cup and then pour 12-16 oz of your preferred beverage. If you’re making a 1 rounded scoop serving, just cut the amount of water or milk in half.

The Rapid Replenishment & Recovery Formula

No doubt about if, folks: Optimum Nutrition is one of the most trusted – if note the most trusted brand – in the bodybuilding supplement industry.

Having said that, we believe Optimum Nutrition 2:1:1 Recovery is the post-workout supplement with the most potent protein blend by far.

Seriously.

As if these weren’t enough, this supplement also has five grams of branch-chained amino acids (BCAAs) per serving. This blend is comprised of two parts leucine, one part isoleucine, and one part valine.

It’s pretty obvious the company put a premium on leucine because it plays a major role in the muscle protein synthesis process. No leucine, no muscle growth.

Let’s check out the formula ingredients:

Total fat, 1 g: Optimum Nutrition 2:1:1 Recovery is low in fats at just two percent of the daily value. You can allude the fat content to its egg albumen and cocoa components – both of which are sources of good fats. Nice.

Cholesterol, 10 mg: Not only is this product low in fats, it’s also low in cholesterol at three percent of the daily value. Far too many post-workout supplements go overboard on cholesterol. Not Optimum Nutrition 2:1:1 Recovery. It’s a change we’ll always welcome.

Sodium, 340 mg: The first red flag of Optimum Nutrition 2:1:1. It’s high in sodium at 14 percent of the daily value. To put things in perspective, anything more than five percent of the daily value for a certain nutrient is considered excessive. If you’re monitoring your sodium intake, ask your doctor for advice before purchasing.

Total carbohydrate, 70 g: Optimum Nutrition 2:1:1 Recovery has a high – very high – carb content at 70 grams per serving (although bear in mind one serving is equal to two rounded scoops). The carb content is composed of waxy maize starch, glucose polymers, fructose, and sucrose. Even though the two latter ingredients comprise just one part each of the carb blend’s 2:1:1 ratio, the product’s sugar content is also high at 36 grams per serving. If you’re monitoring your sugar intake, schedule an appointment with your doctor first before consuming.

Protein, 35 g: Wow. Just wow. We’ve never seen a post-workout product with this much protein per serving. Do the math, folks: 70 grams of carbs to 35 grams of protein is the 2:1 carb to protein ratio the manufacturer is emphasizing. Did we also mention we like the components of the protein blend (hydrolyzed WPI, micellar casein, egg albumen)? This will feed your muscles for hours, folks.

Calcium, 30% DV: This is Optimum Nutrition 2:1:1 Recovery is a tremendous source of calcium at a whopping 30 percent of the daily value – it’s the biggest health bonus that comes with this product. Your bones, teeth, and blood pressure levels will improve significantly. Awesome.

Iron, 8% DV: Another bonus – although not as big as the calcium content – is the iron component of Optimum Nutrition 2:1:1 Recovery. One of its vital post-workout benefits is the eradication of fatigue.

Formula Analysis

All we can say about Optimum Nutrition 2:1:1 Recovery is it is unique.

We’ve never come across a supplement company which believes in a 2:1:1 ratio for all of its post-workout product’s components.

Optimum Nutrition dared to be different, folks.

The gamble paid off. Two parts of waxy maize starch and glucose polymers, one part fructose and one part sucrose will help replenish your depleted glycogen stores and build some serious muscle mass.

We’re talking about 70 grams of carbs per serving here. That much should help you in your post-recovery efforts.

Just know we’re not crazy about the 36 grams of sugar per serving. It’s like you’re chugging on a soda, for crying out loud. The manufacturer should have eased up.

Okay, so the carb content is flawed. However, we’re all praises for Optimum Nutrition 2:1:1’s protein blend.

Hey, you can’t go wrong with 35 grams of protein per serving. Two parts hydrolyzed whey protein isolate, one part micellar casein, and one part egg albumen ought to get the job done.

The different absorption rates will ensure nourishment for your muscles for up to seven hours or so.

That’s what you want – the longer you remain in an anabolic state after a hard workout, the better. Optimum Nutrition 2:1:1 Recovery’s protein blend will make sure of it.

We also love this product’s five grams of BCAAs per serving – it’s almost similar to Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard 100% Whey’s 5.5 grams of BCAAs per scoop.

BCAAs play a major role in muscle protein synthesis, muscle repair, and endurance. Two parts of leucine for every one part of isoleucine and valine will help you grow some serious muscle mass.

Other pluses of Optimum Nutrition 2:1:1 Recovery: it is low in fats and cholesterol and is high in calcium. It is also a decent – but not great – source of iron to help ward off fatigue, an important post-exercise benefit.

We also like to give props to the manufacturer for good transparency – it discloses the amount of every ingredient. There are also no fillers and proprietary blends.

Aside from the high sugar content, the other downside of this product is its high sodium content. You need the right amount of sodium (not more than five percent of the daily value) to prevent muscle cramping, but 14 percent of the daily value is too much, folks.

Optimum Nutrition 2:1:1 Recovery Benefits

Optimum Nutrition 2:1:1 Recovery has the following benefits, per its official website:

Who Takes It?

Any Side Effects?

We’re happy to report Optimum Nutrition 2:1:1 Recovery has no glaring side effects. However, this product has high sodium and sugar contents. If you are monitoring your intake of each ingredient, we advise you consult your physician before consuming.